Friday Nov 21

My surgery was yesterday.  The doctor removed both of my ovaries and a lot of scar tissue.  Not sure how but there was some scare tissue on the end of my colon.  Can't wait to see what doctor says about that scare tissue.  He told my husband after the surgery that was done, that he understands why I was in so much pain.  I am glad that it is over with, except for the healing from the surgery. 

I am doing really good.  The pain from the surgery isn't too bad, I have had worse.  I am looking forward to the speedy recovering and getting back on my feet.  Seven weeks of pain was not any fun and the to have surgery on top of it. 

I thought about it last night and I have had seven surgeries since 2001.  That was the year that I  had my thyroid removed and found out it contained cancer; which then I had to turn around and have the rest of it removed - two thyroid surgeries within a month.  Then all the testing and killing the small piece of thyroid that somehow got left in my body.  That was an eventful 8 months - I will never forget.  Then there was the two surgeries for the kidney stones I had and gallbladder removed, partial hysterectomy and then yesterday the ovaries removed.  All their own stories. 

I have learned a lot from this event I have been through.  I have had 7 weeks to ponder and do some thinking.  I have learned that I am stronger than I think that I am.  But I have also come to the conclusion that I have to get myself in order.  I know that the past surgeries I could not have prevented but I want to be healthy.  I want my next 50 years to be the healthiest of my life.  I want to have the most energy and feel the best I have ever felt.  So, how do I get there? 

First I have to come to terms with the choices that I have made over my life.  My bad food choices and not wanting to exercise.  I have got to start making the right choices.  I have been trying to eat better, but if I am totally honest, I can do so much better.  I know that I need to cut out so many
things.  So, for the next few weeks, while I am recouping, I am going to be digging into the best plan for me.  I know from the past that I have got to eat a lower carb diet.  I have to find a happy medium that I can be happy with and live with for the rest of my life.  This just isn't a diet for me, it is a lifestyle change.  Can't wait to see what I find ...

Then there is the exercise component.  This is something that I definitely need to do and find something that I will stick to.  Not just do a few weeks or months and quit.  There again I want to find something that I will enjoy and want to keep doing.  One step at a time .....

This can all be overwhelming but I am going to take one step at a time.  I am excited to be starting again on this journey. I think this time I am going to get it right and not quit!!  But I guess that is what this journey is all about .... taking one step at a time and then another step and another step.  When your time is right it will all just click into place.  

Thursday, Nov 6th

I wonder why sometimes we go through the things that we do.  Why do people get sick, lose their jobs, have love ones die and the list goes on and on.  Why do things happen to some people but don't seem to happen to others?  Why are some people stronger than others?

Since I have been under the weather the past four weeks, I have been thinking these things.  I am so use to being able to go and do and this past four weeks I haven't been able to these things.  I have been in pain but the weakness has been worse.  I just haven't had a lot of energy.  Thank goodness for my spark and Advocare products because I am sure they have helped me keep some energy.

This time has made me think about why God does this to me every so often.  Is it to slow me down? To make me take time to rest?  I am sure that has something to do with it.  My husband thinks it is so I will have to depend on other people.  I have had to get my husband to go grocery shopping for me and do things around the house.  I have been able to wash clothes and do some light housework but it is only when I feel like it.  I am learning through all of this that I cant' keep doing everything.  I need to start letting others do things.

I have also been thankful that even though I have felt really bad, there is always someone out there that feels worse than I do.  I am too thankful that my family has been there for me.  And the friends that have been awesome.  I have been overwhelmed with the ones that have called, text or private message.  It has truly blessed my heart.

I do pray for those that we going through health issues, for family members that are having health issues, for those that have lost loved ones and those that are having financial troubles.  No matter how big or small or problems ... God is always there for us.  That I can never be thankful enough for .....

Oct 21st

Man, what a week I have had.  I have been in a lot of pain for over a week.  Went to Urgent Care on Saturday and after doing x-ray they said it was kidney stones.  So, I followed up with my Urologist and she ended up saying that I had stones in my kidney but they were ok and they wouldn't be making me have all this pain.  So, I ended up after a week, calling my female doctor.  He found two cyst on my ovary.   I guess that is a good thing - at least I know for sure what it is.

Now, I am not quite sure that the cysts were causes this horrible pain.  I honestly believe that I had stones and that on this past Saturday, when the pain was the worse, I passed the ones that I had.  Since this past Saturday the pain hasn't been as bad.  I can handle it with just some Tylenol instead of pain pills. I guess I will never know though ...

In this down time, I have realized a few things.

1) I don't like when people have to do things for me.  I like being in control and I like doing things for myself.  I don't like having to depend on people.
2 ) That I need to take control of my health.  Whether I can prevent cysts from coming back or not (these aren't my first ones) I want to be healthy.  I want to be healthy.
3) You really find out who your friends are when you are sick.  I had people check on me that I didn't think would and then some that didn't even call that I thought would.  I am so thankful for the people that are in my life and that I know will be there for me. It makes me think about being there for others when they need me.  Am I there for others?  This too needs to change.

So, what changes do I need to make to be healthier?  Boy, that is a big question and where do I get started.  Drinking more water - making sure I get some exercise in - and making sure I eat healthier!!  I just need to take the first step and get started.  I know the main thing is just getting started and NOT quitting.  I have already started making some changes but I know that I can do so much better. So here we go ..... step after step

Mon, Oct 13th

What a crazy weekend and day.  I had to go to an urgent care on Saturday and found out that I have kidney stones.  I don't like having kidney stones.  They are NOT fun. 

So while I am having some down time I am trying to get some things done.  Thank goodness I have a new book to read.  I would really go crazy if I didn't have one to read.  Got some small projects I have been putting off that I have time to work on now. 

I figured I have two choices:  I can either sit here and grip and complain because I can't do what I had planned or I can enjoy this down time and find something that I can do.  It doesn't help to whine and complain - in fact, it just makes the time worse.  I do believe that everything happens for reason.  Sometimes we just need some down time. 

Off to do some reading ..... I do hope these stones pass quickly though. 

Monday Oct 6th

I have been thinking a lot the past couple of days about goals.  I haven't ever been one to set goals.  In the past, I just haven't been good at hitting whatever goal that I set.  I guess I would set them and do nothing; then wonder why I didn't hit it. 

In the new book that I am reading - Act like a Success - Think like a Success by Steve Harvey.  In the chapters that I read this weekend really emphasized setting goals.  That is really is important.  This is what he says in the book:

Goals are essential because they give you realistic, measurable, and specific targets.  They are necessary benchmarks that give you the energy, confidence and assurance to keep moving in the right direction toward your dreams.  They can also serve as a handy map for attaining your dreams.

So, I am going to sit down and write out me some goals.  I do have several areas of my life that I am working towards a specific thing.  One of the things I am working on is losing weight.  This is a journey I have been on for awhile.   But something that I really want - really bad.  So, goals I will set.  In this area, I am going to set small goals so that I can use them as stepping stones to keep going. 

I do have other areas, but I think I will concentrate on this one at the moment.  I can do this ....

The goals shapes the plan - The plan shapes the action - The action achieves the results and The results brings success.

From Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell

Now to get busy .... to be continued

Sept 28th

I know I have asked or said this more than once, but where does the time go?  It is hard for me to believe it has been over a month since I have posted a post.  I know I have been extremely busy the past couple of months.  

For one, school started back and it is always crazy the first few weeks of school.  The hardest part is getting back into a routine.  During the summer months I am so use to sleeping in some and then I have to get use to getting up early.  Plus all the meetings that we having right before school starts and during the first few weeks.  I guess I am back into the swing of things.  I did miss some of my kids over the summer months.  

Second, I took over as President of our local Recreation Association.  I have been treasure for many years, bookkeeper and concession stand manager.  It was election time and I had several people ask me to run for President.  At first I really didn't want to because I thought my calling was being the treasurer.  So, I told them I would pray and think about it.  I did and the Lord gave me peace for taking this one position.  I am firm believer that when it is your purpose and it is God's will ... well all the pieces will fall right into place and they have for me.  I am doing things that I never thought I would be able to handle.  I am saying things that I am not sure where those words came from - but I know exactly where they came from.  

Even though I have been overwhelmed with taking over as President and then school starting, I have found time to read.  I have read some amazing books in the last few months.  One, is called "God's Healthy way to Live" - which is helping me so much see where I need to make changes in my life so that I can live for God and be healthy.  I am changing my eating habits.  I am trying to eat more fruits and veggies.  Get more exercise.  Drink more water.  Get lots of rest and less stress.  I know that the changes will come and even though I may fail some days, I am just getting back up and starting again.  I am proud of the changes that I have made so far.   Shoot the biggest thing right now, is keeping my stress level down.  Each day for me is filled with stress - I drive a school bus - I am President at a Recreation and plus all my family duties.  I continue to pray each day that the Lord will take over in the areas that He isn't and to help me with my stress.  

This journey is still amazing.  I love what I do and I am so thankful that God has given me the ability to do what He is having me do.  I pray that God will use me to do His work and reach others.   

Tues Aug 5th

I am trying a different approach to my blog. I always think I have to be a fancy writer and I really am not.  I hate feeling like I have to come up with a title and something good to write about to do a post.  So, I am just going to write about my life and my day.  The date will be my title.  I think this will be easier for me and I will want to post more. 

Here goes my first one ....  Tues Aug 5th

The past couple of days have been awesome.  Yesterday was the best.  I love the days that I have the most energy and I get the most done.  That was yesterday.  I got up and started my day off with reading the Bible and of course, drinking my spark.  

After breakfast, I got a few things done in my office while I waited on my daughter to get ready to go run errands with me.  Off we went - chiropractor, post office, county office, to the bank and then to lunch.  I enjoy when I get to eat lunch with one of my kids.  When we got home it was into the office for a couple of hours.  Man, at the work that I got done.  Even washed, dried, and folded a couple of loads of clothes through out the day.  Dusted and picked up too - all before supper.  Someone with hypothyroid, this is an amazing day. 

I cooked a big supper, pork tenderloin, mac & chs, green beans, broccoli and corn.  My oldest son and my grandbaby came over for dinner.  Lisa was out of town with the softball team.  I love it when they come over, especially my Mary Grace.  Love being a grandma. 

I have learned over the years to enjoy days like yesterday when they come around.  They use to only come around every once and awhile.  However since I started taking the Thermoplus, I think it is really helping.  I have been having some pretty good days the past couple of weeks. 

Having a good day today.  Actually took some time to rest.  Hope you are having a great day ... enjoy!!!

#thyroid #energy #Advocare